Artists groups

Working as an artist can be a lonely post. Normally I enjoy both my creativity and my own company. However, I also do need the dialogue and the company of fellow artists. The net is very helpful in my daily life to feel connected – but of course it’s not sufficient. For that reason I take part in two different art groupsArtrovert and X-piir both formed years back – to have a forum to meet, inspire and challenge each other, exchange information, give response at the artwork we ´re doing and in general share the experiences of our lives. We live in different geographical areas – one even abroad – but we try to meet at least 3 – 6 times a year to talk and to go and visit galleries, art centres, workshops – and cafés. It’s an excellent way to have new impressions – and it’s so much easier – and funnier – to get off when you have an appointment with your community of interest.

The people in my groups are all active artists, always involved in new plans and projects. One can’t help getting sucked in. It´s like having a virtual vitamin injection to spend some hours together with these guys. The net community is great – but going out for a rendezvous one Sunday afternoon at a real gallery and afterwards at a nice café with actual persons is great too! So if you are not in an artists group I suggest you create one. It doesn’t have to be in any way formal.

Thanks for this post – can you make any suggestions on how to find like-minded people for such a group? I am definitely feeling a bit isolated after working at home for over a year. (And if anyone lives on the San Francisco peninsula and knows of such a group, that would be great.)

I am part of a wonderful group in Chattanooga TN. We are multi generational and we formed based around our faith and our conviction from God to create art. We have had two informal Clothesline Shows at one of the members homes. Her home was perfect since it was built in the 1860’s and has a beautiful Victorian feel, but also it gives our shows the warmth of an all weekend party! We made over $7000 this last show! We have had many inquiries to join the group, and most important is that we know each other and challenge each other to continue to create even though our lives are full of kids, jobs, teaching, school, etc. We believe that making art is a very important way we can bring praise to God for creating us in His image.